Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired (2008)

Examines the public scandal and private tragedy which led to legendary filmmaker Roman Polanski's sudden flight from the United States.

Director:

Marina Zenovich

Writers:

Joe Bini, P.G. Morgan

Stars:

Andrew Braunsberg, Richard Brenneman, Douglas Dalton

Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Andrew Braunsberg	...	Himself - Producer & Polanski's Friend
Richard Brenneman	...	Himself - Reporter, Santa Monica Evening Outlook
Douglas Dalton	...	Himself - Attorney for the Defense
Marilyn Beck	...	Herself - Hollywood Gossip Columnist
Steve Barshop	...	Himself - Assistant District Attorney
Madeline Bessmer	...	Herself - Girlfriend #2
Michael M. Crain	...	Himself - Former Public Defender
Samantha Geimer	...	Herself - Victim
Mia Farrow	...	Herself - Actress
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Pedro Almodóvar	...	Himself (archive footage)
Istvan Bajzat	...	Himself - Photographer
Pierre-André Boutang	...	Himself - Polanski's Friend
Nicolas Cage	...	Himself (archive footage)
Michael Caine	...	Himself (archive footage)
John Cassavetes	...	Guy Woodhouse (archive footage)

Storyline

In 1977, Roman Polanski was arrested in Los Angeles on charges he gave drugs and had sex with a 13-year-old girl he was photographing for Vogue. Eleven months later, having pled guilty to one count, he fled to Europe before sentencing. This film examines that year-long period, using archival footage of the media frenzy and of Polanski's life before the charges, clips from his films, and contemporary interviews with many of the principles - attorneys, the victim, and Polanski's friends and associates. Polanski remains enigmatic, but portraits emerge of the machinations of justice and of a judge more interested in his image than his word or the law.

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Plot Keywords:

statutory rape | teenage girl | sex with teenager | immorality | eiffel tower | 

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Taglines:

The truth couldn't fit in the headlines.

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Genres:

Documentary | Crime

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

Cinefilo (Spanish)

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English French German

Release Date:

11 December 2008 (Greece)

Also Known As:

Polanski: Procurado e Desejado

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,613, 13 July 2008

Gross USA:

$59,192

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$100,458

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Documentary Films, Graceful Pictures, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

On 26 September 2009, Roman Polanski was detained by Swiss police at Zurich Airport while trying to enter Switzerland. Since this was only 1 year and 7 months after the release of this widely discussed documentary at Sundance (Jan.18, 2008), there is reason to believe, that this film was actually what caused the new arrest warrant, because it dared to question the legality of Polanski's L.A. trial in 1977 and 1978 before he fled to France on 1st February 1978. Polanski and his lawyers also tried to use the new evidence from this documentary to attack the L.A. justice system, which must have awakened their new interest in the old case, too.

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Quotes

Samantha Geimer: The worst part was... no one believed me.

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Connections

Featured in Larry King Live: Episode dated 6 January 2010 (2010)

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Soundtracks

Lullaby
Written by Krzysztof Komeda (as Christopher Komeda)
Sung by Mia Farrow

User Reviews

Crime means time-and time doesn't neutralize guilt,folks

Roman Polanski is what I would consider a genius filmmaker. He is the consummate "filmmaker's director", and has made many excellent films--some of the most important films ever created-- for over 40 years.I think he is a highly engaging, intelligent and gifted human being. And I would treasure the opportunity to sit with him over a glass of wine and hear ,what I'm sure would be an amazing, riveting life story.

Having said that,the recent motions to dismiss his guilt regarding the 1977 child-rape case HE PLEAD GUILTY TO to me are belittling of our criminal justice system.

It boils down to his GUILT, not wheather or not the judge is an a**hole--right? Haven't many convicted members of the MANSON family ,guilty of slaughtering his pregnant wife and unborn son, attempted similar motions, pleas and tactics to reduce or overthrow THEIR sentences. Do THEY also deserve to "walk" just because it's "been a long time and things change"?

This is a compelling film and very, very absorbing and it is recommended viewing,regardless of your personal opinion regarding Polanski's guilt--but to what end? I do not agree with it's perspective,purpose and viewpoint so in that sense, it is an inherently flawed project.

We wish you could return to the USA, Mr.Polanski--But you have done something that you must pay for, just as Tex Watson and Susan Atkins have to pay for the crimes they inflicted in your rented home on Cielo Drive on that tragic summer evening in 1969.